Grey: A Life Unraveled (Tapestry of Life Book 1)

by Lee Miller

  “I, uh. Well. No sir. No things aren’t alright. I can’t. I can’t help.” Chris was fumbling for the words. Instead he simply waived his boss over and played the DVD for him.

  As the film concluded, Mr. Scott’s face was as white as a sheet. “Chris, who is the vic…victim?” Chris finished. “My Grandfather. This was done 5 years ago. No charges were ever brought and no suspects detained. It was ruled a botched burglary/homicide. I don’t know who sent this or how they even got the footage. The police said the CCTV footage was blank. No information what-so-ever. Apparently they were wrong.” Chris finished off his coffee as his boss and mentor took a seat next to his desk. He poured two cups and handed the elderly gentleman one, knowing that his guest liked his black. “Got anything stronger?” His boss let out with a soft, nervous chuckle.

  Chris sat in his chair staring out the window at the busy city skyline. He had no answers, only questions. He was unsure of what to do or where to go next. One thing was for certain, he couldn’t represent Tony Diego. “I think you need to find Diego a new attorney. No way could I be in the same room with him after seeing this.” Chris’s voice was flat yet anger boiled through him. At this point he didn’t care about partnerships or justice. He wanted Diego to pay. “Chris. I fully understand. I’m not sure I want this firm tied to him after the news breaks on this. There’s something you should know, if you haven’t figured it out yet. Diego has ties to the mob. He’s a rather high-ranking member to be exact. I’ve known about it for years but he has never done anything that I couldn’t live with in defending him. I obviously had no idea that he could commit such monstrosities. You have my full support; however you wish to handle this. You need to decide quickly though. The court case starts Monday and I can’t release him as a client without just cause.” Chris looked over at the man he had idolized since he began work here, a man who had been a mentor to him and had always been there for him. “I know Jeff. I know. I think a call needs to be made to the DA’s office. I think Mr. Diego needs to pay for what he has done. I think little Jane won’t be having a big birthday party next year at the mansion in The Hamptons.” Chis looked at his professional father figured to try and discern what he was thinking. “Chris. Are you sure you want to wage this war? We will be fighting against someone with a lot of connections and ties. This could end badly. You could win this fight but lose everything in the process.” Mr. Scott’s face didn’t betray any of how he was feeling. Chris was unsure if his boss meant he would lose his job or what. “Are you saying I wouldn’t be able to work here anymore Jeff?” Chris leveled his own poker face and gazed into the pale green eyes of his guest. Trying to get a read on what way the wind would blow in this discussion. All he saw was a bit of shock and surprise, then a stern look Chris knew too well. “Of course not. I will stand behind you and support you if this is the path you choose. You are family to Mildred and me. You and Sara are like the kids we never had ourselves. I’m afraid of what the repercussions will be outside of this office and our relationship.” Chris thought about it long and hard. As long as he had his family, professionally and privately, behind him, he’d weather whatever storm came from this. “Call the DA and set up a meeting Jeff. This needs to be dealt with.” Chris looked back towards the bright azure sky. He knew this would change everything.

  Three hours after showing his mentor the video footage they were sitting in the office of the DA watching it again. The DA scrutinized every frame of the footage but concluded that this was in fact what it seemed to be. “Mr. Connelly are you sure you want to do this? I have no way of keeping you out of it. I remember the investigation. The police said the CCTV head no recording on it. That would lead me to think that they are either grossly incompetent or there is a deep well of corruption there. This could rock this city to its very foundation.” DA Fredrick statement was cold, flat and to the point. Chris had a love-hate relationship with this man’s office, but here, today, this office was the only one who could help him. “Yes Sir. I’m fully aware of the implications here.” Chris glanced nervously at his boss then back to the DA. “I want to pursue this however far it takes us.” “Very well, I’ll start the process of a grand jury. Lay low and talk to no one…especially Tony.” Chris knew he had to warn Sara and that he would need to be very careful and watchful, at least till this all blew over. He was scared, but he knew this was the right thing to do. Monsters such as Tony should never be able to walk around and hurt whoever they wanted with impunity. He had to be stopped.

  In the weeks that followed, Tony Diego was arrested and charged with 1st Degree murder due to new evidence coming to light on the cold case murder of a shop owner named George Connelly five years ago. Chris was to be the key witness along with the video footage. He knew Tony wasn’t stupid. At roughly the same time the law firm Chris worked at sent him a letter of release and refusal of retention. Tony would soon add one and one together. On a cool mid-autumn day, Chris was sure he had done just that when he was approached by a rather strange looking man with a slight hook nose and pale eyes. The exchange didn’t last long, but it left Chris with the feeling of impending disaster and doom. He was walking from the parking garage to his apartment building. He was deep in thought so he didn’t see or hear the man at first. “Excuse me sir, Excuse me. Sorry but you seem to have dropped this.” Chris turned around and saw the man had his wallet in his hand. “Thanks buddy. Appreciate it. Can’t leave that just laying around.” Chris thanked him and reached out for the wallet. The man held it just inches away from him until Chris looked up with a puzzled expression “You’re right mister. Don’t want or need anyone getting ahold of information that’s on your driver’s license. Never know what kind of bad things they may be planning.” The stranger’s voice was flat and his smile gone. He stared at Chris for a brief moment as if to make his meaning clear then handed the wallet back to its owner. Chris retrieved the wallet without another word and slowly walked away. As the man disappeared from sight, Chris checked to make sure everything was still there. He left the garage with a sense of dread. “Have to find a new place to park tomorrow.” Chris muttered to himself. He phoned the DA’s office to report the encounter.

  Chris was stirred out of his contemplation by the ringing of his office phone. That was almost 3 months ago. Nothing strange had happened since and Tony’s trial for 1st degree murder was coming up after the holidays. He had mostly put it all out of his mind. At least enough so that he could relax just a little. His phone continued to ring. Chris pressed the speaker button; he knew it was Jill. “Hey boss, just wanted to remind you to call Sara to check up on the dinner plans for tonight.” Came Jill’s voice clearly through the phone. “Crap. Almost forgot. Got to get your head together Chris.” He thought to himself. “Thanks Jill, appreciate the reminder.” Chris smiled as he ended the call. Jill had been even better to him since they started their weekly luncheons.

  He reached for his phone and hit the quick dial for Sara’s cell phone; he knew she’d be out and about by now. It rang until her voicemail picked up. “It’s Sara, leave a message at the beep. Or don’t, your choice really.” Chris grinned, the same greeting since Collage. She was predictable in some ways and very unpredictable in others. He didn’t leave a message this time, the miss call would show up on her phone. Just as he put it back in his pocket, the phone range. He pulled it back out and saw it was her. He answered it with the same smile he always got when he thought of Sara. “Chris here. Please tell me you’re not in jail again.” He laughed at the now cherished memory of when she called him to bail her out one Friday night in their junior year. The night she beat up a guy on his team for copping a feel of her. He needed something to brighten the dark mood he had put himself in.

  Tommy

  Tommy was glad to have the Christmas break from his job. One of the main reasons he loved teaching so much was all the time off that came with it. Plus he really enjoyed educating young minds. No matter how many years he had done this job, he still enjoyed it as if it was his first y
ear. The 2 weeks break allowed him time to get caught up on grading and allow him to prepare for the next semester curriculum. He had been putting in long hours to get everything ready, he wanted to continue but there were other things needing his attention on this day. Though being a teacher was gratifying, it didn’t afford him much for savings and he wasn’t going to work himself into the grave. He had to get ready for his part time job. He hated it for the most part, but it had its moments of pleasure too. Not many, but some. Today was his last day at the job. His boss an unimaginable asshole and the hours often sucked. He stuck with it for as long as he had due to the pay it offered, but now was the time to leave that life behind. He was getting married in the spring and starting a new life, one that wouldn’t mesh well with this part time gig. He had received his instructions a month ago, but waited till the right time to carry everything out. This evening was the right time. This was the last day of the old year, leading into a new day of a new year. Rather symbolic actually, thus, the timing. His boss wanted it done immediately; he had other plans.

  He wiped the steam off the mirror and looked into the same face he had seen every day for his 34 years. The years hadn’t been overly kind to him. His nose broken severely in a bar fight when he was 16, scares on his cheek from shrapnel he had taken in war. The only thing that resembled his childhood was the pale blue eyes. Days like to day they seem lifeless. Perhaps reflecting the things he had done in his past. “Almost done. One more thing to do and this will be the end of this career.” He muttered to himself. Going through the check list in his mind of the things he needed to do he was ready. The boss must really want this gig done. His sense of urgency and the amount he was willing to pay was nuts. This one job would take care of the wedding, honeymoon and put a nice down payment on his and Beth’s first house. Beth. She saw through his rough exterior. She looked beyond the scars and was the only person since his mother that saw him for what he most wanted to be. Kind, gentle, caring, intelligent. She saw his strengths and his weakness. Asking her hand in marriage was the first right thing Tommy felt he had done in a very long time. A school teacher like him, yet her path wasn’t marred like his was. She hadn’t seen the things he had. He was very grateful for that. She was want he wanted to cultivate himself to be some day. It was through her that he met Sara, Beth’s best friend. She was a stunningly beautiful raven-haired young woman who had eyes that resembled a glacier yet with an intense fire burning in them. She easily stood an inch short of Tommy’s 6’1 stature. He figured she was easily 5’9 or 5’10 without the heels she was wearing. He only met her once, but it was long enough to make a lasting impression on him. He could see in her eyes some of the same hardships that he had faced, yet she didn’t let it eat her up on the inside like he had. She was strong, resilient, dedicated and very intelligent. Yet her eyes never stopped shifting. She never stopped noticing little things that would escape most others. She was weary, but devoted to doing good things. Dedicated to living a good life. She seemed able to get beyond her pain and suffering to see the beauty in others. He was highly impressed with the young lady. Tommy was very adept at reading people. A lot of that young lady was easy to read, yet there were things that just didn’t seem to match up. He couldn’t quiet put his finger on it. Beth asked Sara to be her maid of honor that day. “Huh. Come to think of it. I don’t have a best man yet.” Tommy mused. Living a life as a loner didn’t offer much material to choose from in picking such things. He’ll find someone. Time was ticking away on the day and he had a couple of things to tend to before heading to the job sight.

  Tommy stepped out of the door to the apartment building he called home. The slate gray sky and deepened and a few flurries were starting to come down. He looked over at the doorman as he spoke. “Gee Frank, think it’ll finally come down or do you think it’s just gonna tease us with a good time?” Frank was a middle-aged bouncer looking of a man. 6’4 and barrel chested. Tommy figured Frank could have had a career in football at some point in his life, but here he was, guarding the door to the semi-upscale apartment building Tommy lived in. “I dunno Mr. Johnson. If this is your idea of a good time, ya might wanna get that head of yours checked.” Frank’s reply came with a wry smile. Tommy knew the doorman meant nothing by it, but he was prone to violence when anyone ever referred to him as crazy. It was a hot trigger for him. Instead of beating the big man to a pulp on the sidewalk, Tommy just shook his head and walked away. The day did seem ripe for a nasty snowfall to hit. The air was biting cold and blew as a subtle breeze across the city landscape. If it did snow, at the winds current pace, it wouldn’t be a driving storm, just a gentle fall. He cast his eyes to the darkening sky once more. “Yep, a good day to bring about and end to one beginning and start the beginning of a new end.” Tommy hailed a cab. Today would see a change, not just in the weather, but also in his life. He vowed it.

  The cab pulled up in time for Tommy to catch the person he needed to see slip into the back seat of another cab. “Hey brother, follow the cab if you don’t mind. The person I need to see is inside.” He instructed the driver. The cabby looked into his rearview mirror at Tommy “What do ya think this is mister? A movie or sumptin?” the cabby chuckled to himself. “Just follow the damn car will ya? It’s important.” It took everything Tommy had to stay in the backseat and not take over the driving of the cab himself. The cabby, obviously with hurt feelings, sped away from the curb and back into traffic. Tommy watched the city slip past him in a blur. Old buildings right next to newer buildings. The city had grown much over the last 50 years or so. Though he had lived here his entire life almost, he never failed to be impressed by the coldness the city showed, even in the middle of summer. The city never slept, it never dreamt. Tommy couldn’t imagine the city ever wanted much more than just to be. He and this city at least had that much in common. For Tommy there was no past and no future. There was just the moment in which he found himself. He was never one to give into stupid things like religion, or even science. Unless one or the other could provide something tangible, Tommy had no use for it. The city was fact. It was there. Nothing could take it away. This city was Tommy’s playground. His school yard, his home. He watched as nice newer buildings gave way to older more rundown types then back to nice and new. He imagined looking at the city from above. He also imagined it would probably look much like a snow flake with its intricate designs and patterns.

  Tommy looked out through the windshield and saw the car they were trailing slow and pull up next to the curb. “He buddy, pull up behind it, stay put, I’ll only be a few minutes. Trust me; I’ll make it worth your while.” Tommy knew he needed to sugar coat the cabby after snapping at him earlier. He also slipped him a $100 bill as a way of an apology. The cabby looked at him with surprise in his eyes. “Su…sure mister, anything you say. I’ll be right here waiting.” The driver took the $100 and Tommy slipped out of the back seat quietly and began walking up to the building. He noticed the lady just in front of him drop something. He bent down and scooped it up without missing a beat and caught up to the woman at the door. “Excuse me miss? But I think you dropped this.” Tommy said while offering it back to her. She turned and looked at him with a hint of surprise in her eyes.

  The cabby stayed put while watching the scene at the door. His passenger was right, he gave the lady back her stuff and they spoke a few minutes and then he made a beeline back to the car. The lady looked a little weird to the driver. She acted like the guy pinched her ass instead of give her back her belongings. As his passenger got back in the car the cabby tried to make light of it all. “Man is she a dish or what?! Those legs go on forever!”

  As Tommy settled back in the car he was immediately annoyed at the cabbie’s assumption he leered at gorgeous woman the way he apparently did. “Just drive and keep your comments about a married woman to yourself please.” Tommy handed him a slip of paper with the new address on it. The cabby, frustrated by his client’s mood changes, kept quiet and took the paper. “Uh, mister, this is back the
way we came.” “I know” Tommy replied, “Is that a problem?” Tommy raised both eyebrows to assert emphasis on his question. “Eh…no sir, no problem it’s your dime.” The cab pulled smoothly back into traffic.

  Forty-five minutes later the cab pulled up at the next stop. Tommy again asked the cabby to stay put. His business would be short and sweet. The cabby nodded but said nothing. This whole affair was beginning to unnerve him a bit. Tommy slept out of the car and went down the alleyway just to the right of the old building. It was a service entrance that the old man who ran the place wanted his preferred customers to go instead of through the front.

  Tommy walked the familiar 30 feet to the service door, punched in the security number he had memorized long ago and stepped through the door into the dark. He heard a gravelly voice from the back corner as he entered. “I was told to be expecting you. The item is ready. Settle up and be on your way.” Is the item guaranteed? Don’t need to have another issue like last time old man.” Tommy inquired. “It’ll do the job it was paid to do. You really retiring after this?” the old voice grew inquisitive, something Tommy had never heard in the disembodied voice before. The transactions were always like this. He had never met or seen the face behind the voice in all these years. He was instructed to come here before each job to receive the equipment that was needed. “My business is my own old timer. Needless to say, after this is done, you won’t ever see me again.” Tommy replied with the coldness he reserved for this job. He hated everything about it, even this voice. “Listen Tommy, I like you. Word to the wise; the “Boss” doesn’t like lose ends. Just keep that in mind.” The voice almost had a pleading quality to it. Tommy couldn’t place it, but there was a sense of urgency to it. Another first. The hair on the back of Tommy’s neck stood up. “Spit it out old timer, what are you trying to say?” emotion was coloring his own voice now. A long silence prevailed. “Nothing Tommy, go forth to the places you’ll be found on this night. Just don’t be in such a rush to get to where you’re going that you fail to heed the signs.” The voice was cold again, distant, reserved. “I haven’t done as well in this career as I have by not following the ‘signs’. I see one in front of me now. What do I make of it??” Tommy inquired. Something was amiss and he knew it. He just didn’t know what. Surly the boss wouldn’t dream of crossing him after their last “discussion” would he? “You make of it what your heart and mind tell you to make of it. If this is the last we meet, fair well. All my best to you and your soon-to-be-new-bride” The old voice sounded like the inside of a grave; cold and distant. Tommy grew angry. Nobody knew of his other life. Like no one in that life knew of this one. He was an insanely private man and thought he had covered his tracks well over the years. “Did you think the organization wouldn’t keep tabs on you?” The voice resounded once again. This time with a hint of laughter to it. “They know all Tommy. Question is, do the people in your other life know all about this one? My guess is ’No’! Keep it that way.” Tommy wasn’t as surprised as he thought he might be. “Of course they’d know. How else would they be as good at what they do if they didn’t bother to learn about their ‘associates’?” thought Tommy. Something shifted in the dark. A shadow moved and Tommy knew he was now alone. The old voice was gone. “No point hanging around here. I need to get this done and put all of this behind me. Nice to know a full identity change will be needed, guess I should thank the old man for that.” Tommy thought to himself as he exited the door. He knew he had been in there a lot longer than he had intended. He felt bad for the poor cabby. He’d slip him another $100 bill. As he got back into the backseat of the cab, he realize at some small level, he was going to miss the old voice. Through the years it somehow always knew the advice to give him. At the time he hated the old man for it; yet looking back, the old man always had his best interest at heart. The mystery of who the voice belonged to will never be resolved for Tommy though he had always wondered who it was.